How to Transfer Data From One Google Account to Another

This guide walks you through moving your emails, Drive files, photos, and other Google data from one account to another. It covers the free built-in transfer tools, what each one can and cannot copy, and how to avoid common pitfalls. You’ll need access to both accounts and a way to verify that you own them.

What You’ll Need

• Access to the source Google Account (the one you’re leaving) and the destination account (the one you’re moving to).
• The passwords for both accounts (or the ability to sign in with passkeys or 2-Step Verification).
• A stable internet connection. Large transfers (many GB) can take hours or days.
• Enough storage space in the destination account. Check the storage meter at one.google.com/storage.
• If you use Google Workspace (business/school), your administrator may need to allow transfers. Check with them first.

Step-by-Step

Google provides a dedicated tool called Transfer your content that moves the most common data automatically. For other data, you’ll use per-service export/import options.

Part 1: Use Google Takeout Transfer (for Mail, Drive, and Photos)

1. Sign in to the source account.
2. Go to takeout.google.com/transfer.
3. Click Get started.
4. Enter the email address of the destination account and click Send code.
5. Open the email in the destination account, copy the verification code, and paste it into the source account’s page.
6. Choose which types of data to copy: Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. You can select all or only some.
7. Click Start transfer. Google will email you when it’s done. This can take from minutes to several days depending on the amount of data.

Part 2: Transfer Google Calendar

1. In the source account, go to calendar.google.com.
2. Click the gear icon → Settings.
3. In the left sidebar, click Import & Export.
4. Click Export. This downloads an .ics file containing all your calendars.
5. Sign in to the destination account and open Google Calendar.
6. Click the gear icon → Settings → Import & Export.
7. Click Select file from your computer, choose the .ics file, and click Import. Your events will appear.

Part 3: Transfer Google Contacts

1. In the source account, go to contacts.google.com.
2. Click Export (left sidebar). Choose Google CSV (or Outlook CSV if you’ll import to Outlook).
3. Download the file.
4. Sign in to the destination account and go to contacts.google.com.
5. Click Import, select the file, and upload it. Check for duplicates.

Part 4: Transfer Google Chrome Bookmarks

1. In the source account, open Chrome and go to chrome://bookmarks.
2. Click the three-dot menu → Export bookmarks. Save the .html file.
3. Sign in to the destination account in Chrome (or use a different profile).
4. Go to chrome://bookmarks, click the three-dot menu → Import bookmarks, and select the file.

Part 5: What About YouTube, Google Play, and Other Services?

• YouTube: You cannot transfer channels or subscriptions between accounts automatically. You can manually re-subscribe to channels. To move your own videos, download them with YouTube Studio, then re-upload to the new account.
• Google Play: Purchases (apps, movies, books) are tied to the account. They cannot be transferred. You’ll need to repurchase or use family sharing if applicable.
• Google Authenticator: Not transferable. Re-set up 2FA on the new account.
• Google Voice: Number can be transferred, but only through the Google Voice settings (requires a different process).

Common Mistakes

• Not checking storage – If the destination account is full, the transfer fails or stops midway.
• Assuming everything transfers – The Takeout Transfer tool only covers Drive, Gmail, and Photos. Contacts, Calendar, and bookmarks are separate.
• Forgetting to change your default account – After moving data, you still need to update your email address on websites, apps, and services that use the old account.
• Deleting the old account too soon – Keep the source account active for at least a few weeks after the transfer to catch anything missing.
• Overlooking 2-Step Verification – If you have 2FA on the old account, you’ll need to handle that separately for each service (e.g., banking apps).

Tips

• Start with a small test: transfer a single folder or a few emails first to confirm the process works.
• Use the “Transfer your content” tool during off-peak hours to avoid slowdowns.
• For large Drive transfers, consider using Google Drive for desktop to sync files locally, then upload to the new account – this can be faster than the web transfer.
• Export your Google Contacts as a vCard if you plan to import into Apple or other non-Google systems.
• Keep a spreadsheet of all the services you use with the old account, and tick them off as you update them.

Troubleshooting

• Transfer fails with “Storage limit exceeded” – Free up space in the destination account or upgrade its storage. You can also select fewer data types.
• Verification code not arriving – Check the spam folder in the destination account. Also ensure you typed the email correctly. If it still doesn’t arrive, wait a few minutes and resend.
• Transfer is stuck at “In progress” for days – Large transfers can take a long time. If it exceeds a week, cancel and restart. Sometimes it helps to split the transfer into smaller chunks (e.g., only Gmail first).
• Calendar import shows duplicate events – Delete the imported calendar and re-import, but first remove any existing events in the destination calendar. Or use a tool like “Merge” if available.
• Contacts import shows errors – Make sure you exported as Google CSV (not Outlook). If the file is too large, split it into smaller parts.
• Bookmarks not appearing in the new profile – Ensure you are signed into the destination account in Chrome and that you imported into the correct profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Google account to another email address?

No, you cannot rename or merge accounts. You can only copy data from one account to another.

Will my Google Play purchases transfer?

No, apps, movies, and books are tied to the account that bought them. You cannot transfer them.

Does the transfer tool copy Google Forms or Sites?

The Takeout Transfer tool does not copy Forms, Sites, or Google Groups. You need to manually copy or re-create them.

How long does the transfer take?

It depends on the amount of data. A few GB can take an hour; 100+ GB can take days. Google will email you when it’s done.

Can I transfer my Google Voice number?

Yes, you can transfer a Google Voice number to another Google account, but only if the destination account is eligible and the number is not currently in use. Use the Google Voice settings to initiate the transfer.

What happens to my old account after transfer?

It remains active. You can keep it or delete it later. Deleting it will remove all data that was not transferred.

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